By Jeff Smith
Careers and education were the focus during a recent field trip for a group of Mojave students from Barstow High School.
For the fourth consecutive year, PG&E hosted students from the Mojave XP Logistics Academy to discuss careers in the utility industry and other related fields.
PG&E's Jose Moreno-Jimenez talks to students about the importance of education during a recent event at the Hinkley Community Center.
Mojave XP is a student academy administered by Barstow High School that prepares students for careers in logistics, transportation, and international trade. Mojave XP Academy is part of the Smaller Learning Communities initiative at Barstow High School designed to increase achievement, attendance and college education.
During his presentation at the Hinkley Community Center, PG&E’s Jose Moreno-Jimenez, environment remediation public affairs manager, talked to the students about utility-industry careers, explained the wave of retirees that would be coming and the resulting number of jobs that would be available.
Moreno-Jimenez also talked about his own education and career path: “More than just grades, I’ve been able to succeed through hard work and perseverance and you can do the same.”
Joining PG&E to talk to the students were representatives from Barstow Community College’s Career Technical Education program to discuss their curriculum with a focus on industrial arts, welding and electrical work. They also discussed the importance of education and training for any chosen field.
A big hit with the students was Steven Dayton, a PG&E-contracted biologist working on the Hinkley remediation project. Dayton talked about his career and also shared photos that he has taken of animals in the local area and on a recent research trip to Peru.
The session concluded with lunch for the students and short presentations from two young men who are currently working in the joint program formed by the Career Institute and PG&E where students work for 12 weeks to learn work skills and provide valuable services throughout the Hinkley community.
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